Meghan Markle and Prince Harry utilized a private jet for their recent return to the United Kingdom, a journey that incurred a cost in the six figures. The couple chartered a Bombardier Global Express XRS aircraft through the aviation company Planet 9, with hourly rates estimated at $12,000 for the 10-hour flight.
The aircraft, refurbished in 2023, features amenities such as two bathrooms, seating for up to 13 passengers, and five beds capable of sleeping six people. It also offers storage for 12 to 15 medium suitcases. According to reports, the decision to use a private jet was partly to accommodate their dogs, Pula and Mia, on the transatlantic trip.
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This move to the UK for an "extended period" comes six years after the couple relocated to Montecito, California. A source indicated that King Charles III was informed of their return days before it became public knowledge. Insiders suggest that King Charles's desire to spend time with his son and daughter-in-law, following his February 2024 cancer diagnosis, was a motivating factor behind their decision.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to reside in a non-royal residence and will continue their independent business ventures, rather than resuming royal duties. Their children, Archie and Lilibet, are anticipated to begin schooling in England later this month.
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The couple previously stepped down as working royals in 2020. Their departure and subsequent interviews, including a notable sit-down with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, brought to light discussions within the royal family regarding concerns about their son's skin color before his birth. At the time, Prince William stated the royal family was "very much not a racist family," while Queen Elizabeth II expressed that the issues raised, particularly concerning race, were "concerning."
Personal tensions within the family have also been documented. In his 2023 memoir, "Spare," Prince Harry made accusations against his brother, Prince William, including a physical altercation. The estrangement between the brothers and their wives continues. The Sussexes have reportedly been searching for a residence in the Cotswolds, an area near King Charles's Highgrove House, which holds nostalgic significance for Prince Harry.